# Polynesian Mythology — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Polynesian Mythology by George Grey.

- [Preface to the First Edition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/preface-to-the-first-edition.md): The author, a British Governor in New Zealand, explains his motivation for learning the Māori language and collecting their ancient poems, legends, and mythology. He describes the challenges of governing during a rebelli
- [Preface to the Second Edition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/preface-to-the-second-edition.md): Sir George Grey reflects on the thirty years since the first edition, noting the deaths of many Māori chiefs who assisted him, the impact of war, and the preservation of Māori legends, poems, and histories. He details th
- [Polynesian Mythology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/polynesian-mythology.md): An overview of Polynesian mythology, covering creation stories, heroic figures, and cultural narratives that explain the origins of the world, the exploits of demigods like Māui and Tāwhaki, and the migrations that shape
- [The Children of Heaven and Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-children-of-heaven-and-earth.md): This chapter recounts the Māori creation tradition of Rangi (Heaven) and Papa (Earth), who were originally joined in darkness. Their children, led by Tānemahuta, debate whether to slay or separate their parents to bring 
- [The Legend of Māui](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-m-ui.md): Māui discovers his mother Taranga and his brothers, learns of his birth and survival, seeks his father Makeatutara, and attempts to conquer death by entering Hinenuitepō. The water-wagtail's laughter wakes the goddess, c

> 27 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=polynesian_mythology_se_1832kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [The Legend of Tāwhaki](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-t-whaki.md)
- [The Legend of Rupe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-rupe.md)
- [The Legend of Kae's Theft of the Whale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-kae-s-theft-of-the-whale.md)
- [The Legend of Tūwhakararo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-t-whakararo.md)
- [The Legend of Rātā](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-r-t.md)
- [The Legend of Toitehuatahi and Tamatekapua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-toitehuatahi-and-tamatekapua.md)
- [The Legend of Poutini and Whaiapu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-poutini-and-whaiapu.md)
- [The Discovery of New Zealand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-discovery-of-new-zealand.md)
- [Construction of Canoes to Emigrate to New Zealand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/construction-of-canoes-to-emigrate-to-new-zealand.md)
- [The Voyage to New Zealand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-voyage-to-new-zealand.md)
- [The Curse of Manaia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-curse-of-manaia.md)
- [The Legend of Hatupatu and His Brothers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-hatupatu-and-his-brothers.md)
- [Legend of the Emigration of Turi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/legend-of-the-emigration-of-turi.md)
- [Legend of the Emigration of Manaia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/legend-of-the-emigration-of-manaia.md)
- [The Story of Hinemoa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-story-of-hinemoa.md)
- [The Story of Marutūāhu, the Son of Hotunui, and of Kahureremoa, the Daughter of Paka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-story-of-marut-hu-the-son-of-hotunui-and-of-kahureremoa-the-daughter-of-paka.md)
- [The Two Sorcerers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-two-sorcerers.md)
- [The Magical Wooden Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-magical-wooden-head.md)
- [The Art of Netting Learned by Kāhukura from the Fairies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-art-of-netting-learned-by-k-hukura-from-the-fairies.md)
- [Te Kanawa’s Adventure with a Troop of Fairies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/te-kanawa-s-adventure-with-a-troop-of-fairies.md)
- [The Loves of Takarangi and Raumahora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-loves-of-takarangi-and-raumahora.md)
- [Stratagem of Puhihuia’s Elopement with Te Ponga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/stratagem-of-puhihuia-s-elopement-with-te-ponga.md)
- [The History of Pāoa, the Ancestor of the Ngāti Pāoa Tribe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-history-of-p-oa-the-ancestor-of-the-ng-ti-p-oa-tribe.md)
- [Appendix I: On the Native Songs of New Zealand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/appendix-i-on-the-native-songs-of-new-zealand.md)
- [Appendix II: On New Zealand and Polynesian Ethnology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/appendix-ii-on-new-zealand-and-polynesian-ethnology.md)
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/endnotes.md)
- [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters